Books by "Paul Bernard Malone"
5 books found
"During the period covered by this volume, hazing had become a serious menace to the discipline of the Military Academy. The efforts on the" part of the authorities to suppress the vice met with but little co-operation from the cadets who believed that no plebe could he inspired with the proper sense of instantaneous obedience except by the so-called system of hazing which had been practiced for many years at the Academy. So strong, honest and deep-seated was this belief that the cadet who opposed it was subject to suspicion as a sycophant and “boot-lick.” Among the opponents of the system, however, was Douglas Atwell, president of the yearling class, a recognized and stalwart leader among his comrades. In these pages an effort is made to trace his struggle against the growing opposition of his class; in a word, to follow out the system of hazing to its logical consequences. The early experiences of our hero had admirably fitted him for the crisis with which he soon found himself confronted. As a poor country boy on a lonely farm, he had acquired that hard "horse" sense which recognizes the fundamental and rejects convenient theory; as a soldier in the U.S. Army in the Philippines, he had trained his fearless nature to ignore consequences, and as a plebe at West Point he had seen the folly of the "system", the injustice of the "code", and now with his whole heart he resolved to oppose many of his classmates"--Introduction.
Lieutenant Douglas Atwell, newly graduated from the United States Military Academy, has been posted to Fort McDowell California to work in the office the chief quartermaster for San Francisco.
"While never a brilliant student, he [Douglas Atwell] has always been a hard worker, and has won his way through many difficulties. His determined stand against hazing has made him unpopular with some cadets, but he has nevertheless many warm friends and has commanded the universal respect of the corps. Douglas has had several triumphs also as a football player. As this story opens he is nearing the end of his cadet days, and looking forward with confidence to a useful and happy life"--Introduction